California Department of Transportation

Headquarters - SacramentoTamie McGowen (916) 654-5060

August 6, 2009

BILL BANS LARGE VEHICLES ON SECTION OF ANGELES CREST HIGHWAY

Sacramento - Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today signed AB 1361 by Assembly Member Anthony Portantino (D--La Cañada Flintridge), banning vehicles with three or more axles or a gross weight of 9,000 pounds or more on a segment of the Angeles Crest Highway (State Route 2) between the city of La Canada Flintridge and County Route N4 in Los Angeles County. This bill was introduced after an incident in April 2009 between a commercial truck and passenger vehicle that resulted in two fatalities.

“It is essential that we do everything we can to ensure the safety of both motorists and others on California’s roadways,” said California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Director Randy Iwasaki. “I commend Assembly member Portantino and Governor Schwarzenegger for taking action to help prevent further accidents involving large vehicles on this route.”

Governor Schwarzenegger, in response to the April incident, immediately authorized a 90-day prohibition of commercial truck traffic in order for Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to investigate this accident and evaluate any potential safety issues. In addition, the Governor directed Caltrans and the CHP to provided technical and professional advice in legislative efforts to find a permanent solution to the serious concerns on this route.

Each year, Californians travel more than 300 billion miles on our state's roadways. Although most of these trips end safely, many result in serious accidents. Each year, traffic collisions on California's streets and highways account for more than 4,000 fatalities and 300,000 injuries. Those numbers are staggering, as each represents a tragedy that could possibly have been prevented.